(Springfield-jm) – As the filing deadline is under a week away, the Illinois Department of Revenue is urging state taxpayers to file their 2025 tax returns as soon as possible. People are urged to file their state individual income tax returns ahead of the April 15th deadline and not wait until the last minute, especially if filing by mail, to avoid any potential issues.
(Chicago–jc) Oral arguments are scheduled to begin this afternoon in former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s appeal of his conviction on ten counts of public corruption. The longtime speaker and Democratic Party of Illinois chairman began serving a 7.5-year prison sentence in West Virginia last October. The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals is hearing the case.
(Springfield–jc) After once again blaming Washington for Illinois’ fiscal failures, Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch says Democrats in the House want to focus on lowering the cost of living, including “gas, groceries, rent, mortgages,” and are reviewing legislation that “helps bring costs down.” The surprising announcement was welcome news to Illinois House Republicans because they have already introduced real proposals to do exactly that, says 73rd District and Illinois House Minority Leader Ryan Spain of Peoria…
73rd District State Representative and Illinois House Minority Leader, Republican Ryan Spain of Peoria House Bill 57-38 was filed in the state legislature on Wednesday.
(Paxton–jc) The Ford County Board will meet in a special session on Friday afternoon to look at filling the Ford County Treasurer’s position. The meeting comes to order at 5 on Friday afternoon at the courthouse in Paxton
(Springfield–jc) Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul says his office is requesting an additional 15 million dollars for fiscal year 2027. Raoul told the Illinois Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday that his office generated $21.45 in revenue for every taxpayer dollar the office received for operations over the last seven years. State Sen. Don DeWitte, R-St. Charles, asked Raoul if it was a good investment of taxpayer dollars when most of his cases against the Trump administration were thrown out at the federal level.
(Champaign–jc) The City of Champaign is celebrating National Community Development Week this week by recognizing the impact of investments that support housing stability, strengthen neighborhoods, and assist residents facing housing insecurity. Since 2020, the City Council has allocated more than 13-point-6 million dollars in housing and homelessness-related activities, reflecting a steady commitment to meeting community needs. The council has also invested over One Million dollars for the construction of new affordable housing, helping expand housing options for a wide variety of homeowners.
(Paxton-jm) – A former Paxton pharmacist pleaded guilty to a possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance charge Wednesday. Jenna Lee Vogel plead guilty to the charge as part of a plea deal that dropped a more serious charge. Vogel faces 30 months of probation to up to 5 years in prison when she is sentenced June 2nd.
(Cissna Park–jc) Plans for the Shop the Park in Cissna Park continue to develop. Cissna Park Development Board Spokesperson Rachael Bauer says the musical acts have been booked, and they are looking for additional vendors…
Cissna Park Development Board Spokesperson Rachael Bauer. The dates for shop the park in Cissna Park are June 12th, July 11th, August 8th and September 12th.
(Chicago–jc)The Chicago Public Schools Board of Education is urging Governor J.B. Pritzker to reject opting into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program. The program would allow scholarship funds for eligible K-12 students to be used for tutoring, test fees, career coaching, books and more. According to the Illinois Policy Institute, the state could receive as much as $1 billion in scholarships to help public and private school students if Illinois opts into the program. The Chicago Teachers Union opposes the program.
(Normal–jc) – Union leaders say more than 300 Illinois State University workers are striking for dignity, respect and a wage they can live on. AFSCME Council 31 Local 1110 members began the strike at 6 a.m. Wednesday. The work stoppage involves building service, dining service and grounds workers at ISU.
A second strike also began on Wednesday for several classification of workers at the University of Illinois, in Springfield. The two strikes are unrelated.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois State Representative Charlie Meier has announced a package of bills aimed at helping keep individuals with developmental disabilities in state operated facilities. Meier has criticized the Illinois Department of Human Services after an audit found it failed to protect vulnerable residents. House Bill 5129 would allow for families to maintain custody of their children while they receive treatment at a state operated facility. House Bill 5458 would allow for individuals to be readmitted to state operated facilities upon a guardians request. House Bill 1122 would require facilities to notify the Department of Human Services when emergency calls are made on the premises.
(Washington–jc) The spring corn planting season has begun. U-S-D-A Meteorologist Brad Rippey looks at the latest corn crop planting numbers…
U-S-D-A Meteorologist Brad Rippey
(Urbana-jm) – A 16 year old has been arrested in connection to a January shooting that injured a 14-year old. The incident happened on January 29th. The youth was struck by gunfire, while sitting in a vehicle on Hill Street. Two male suspects approached and fired multiple shots into the car striking the 14 year old. The 16 year old was charged with aggravated battery with a firearm.
(Moline-jm) – Deere and Company has agreed to pay $99 million as part of a settlement that would resolve a class action lawsuit accusing the farm equipment giant of monopolizing repair services. The Moline based manufacture is accused of withholding repair software and conspiring with authorized dealers to force farmers to use their services for repairs when they could otherwise fix tractors or other equipment themselves or use independent alternatives.
(Gibson City–jc) The Ford County Republican committee is inviting the public to hear from Ford County State’s Attorney Andrew Killian on Saturday in Gibson City. This is one of four quarterly breakfast meetings says Ford County Republican Central Committee Spokesperson Tom Bennett…
Ford County Republican Central Committee Spokesperson Tom Bennett
(Champaign–jc) – Area high school and homeschool juniors and seniors are invited to attend the upcoming SURV-CON Workshop at Parkland College this month.
On Friday, April 24, students will have the opportunity to experience hands-on, real-world training. They’ll use high-tech GPS equipment, surveying instruments, and real construction tools to map land, lay out a building, and build a shed from the ground up. Whether students are curious about construction, engineering, or skilled trades, this workshop is an opportunity for them to explore industry careers.
(Champaign–jc) Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is Culvers. One franchise group has locations in Champaign, Urbana, Danville, Mahomet and Tilton. Jeff Eddy with the group talks about the family associated with the 6 area Culvers restaurants…
Jeff Eddy says it is the people that make up the local group and great customers at their 6 area Culvers restaurants…
Jeff Eddy- Culvers in Champaign Urbana Danville Mahomet and Tilton.
Welcome to Delicious. These Culvers locations are the WPXN Business of the Day, today.
WPXN News notes…
The Rankin Lions Club will hold their Friday Supper on Friday, April 10th from 4:30-7:30pm
The Elliott Amvets will hold their spaghetti dinner on Friday, April 10th from 5-7 pm. Cost is $10.
The Paxton Buckley Loda High School Choir will put on their performance of Into the Woods on Friday, April 10th, Saturday, April 11th and Sunday, April 12th at 7pm each night.
St Peters Free Lutheran Church in Melvin is hosting a Biscuits and Gravy and Hasbrown breakfast Saturday April 11th from 8am until 11am. It is a fundraiser for the church.
A Spring craft and vendor event will be held on Saturday, April 11th from 9-3 at the Kruse Center in Gibson City.
St. Malachy Catholic School in Rantoul will hold their spring fling and auction on Saturday, April 11th. Doors open at 5pm, dinner will be served at 6 with live auction beginning at 7:15.
The Melvin Community Hall welcomes Mike Porter Saturday at 7pm. Doors open at 5:30. $10 for adults, kids 12 and under are free. Food will be available.
The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their Lunch and Learn at the Rantoul Family Sports Complex on Tuesday, April 14th.
